The Chaotic Middle

In this episode, host Amanda Russell shares some of her non-negotiable beliefs about being a mom, wife, and entrepreneur. She also shares a pretty exciting announcement! If you’ve been looking for a raw, unfiltered look at the ups and downs of being a woman in the world of small business, this one is for you.    Amanda will be back next week with another candid conversation with an inspiring woman...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Tabitha DeSeranno, founder of Spark & Soul Design Studio, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   Tabitha shared her non-linear career path to entrepreneurship, including the challenges of becoming a teen mom, navigating multiple career pivots, and how an online search for remote work led her to becoming an “accidental CEO.”   If you enjoy this candid con...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Madeline Rooks, founder of Rookie Productions, a woman‑owned indie production company, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   Madeline shared how she became a filmmaker by moving to California after growing up on the East Coast. Madeline and Amanda got into everything from why film is an important storytelling medium to a discussion of the value of human art...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Caitlin Wuethrich, owner of Caitlin Wuethrich Media, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   Caitlin is a social media marketer and agency owner who focuses on working with passion-driven entrepreneurs and nonprofits. Through her strategy sessions, monthly retainers, and customized template options, Caitlin and her team help business owners understand that th...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Angie Luo, owner of Mirale Collective, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   Angie calls herself a Regenerative Culture Doula, and works with BIPOC-led nonprofits and social impact organizations to help them break out of the stereotypical grind culture. Through her fractional COO services and organizational transformation consulting, she helps organizations...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Kesha Moore, an Event Operations Unicorn and owner of Rolling with Keke, a full-lifecycle meeting and event operations management company.   Kesha and Amanda discussed balancing motherhood and her career using "the three C's: Coffee, Christ, and a little bit of cussing.” Kesha also shared more about the importance of mentorship for Black women in the h...

In this month’s solo episode, host Amanda Russell shares her plans to scale back on social media and what she’s investing in instead. These 7 strategies will help her get off the social media hamster wheel, avoid burnout, and still grow her business.   If you’re a business owner who is sick of changing trending sounds or spending all day on Instagram, this episode is for you!    Amanda will be bac...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Shannon Logan, the executive coach behind The Whole Woman Reset. Shannon works with women entrepreneurs and small business owners who are facing health, mindset, and overall fulfillment challenges.   Amanda and Shannon discussed the fast pace of modern society, particularly for mothers. Listen in as Shannon shares her career evolution from fitness to e...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Giorgia G., a success coach, to The Chaotic Middle podcast. Listen in as they discuss strategies for high-achieving mothers to overcome self-sabotage, achieve fulfillment without burnout, and release mom guilt by demonstrating that personal achievement benefits their children.   Giorgia and Amanda discussed defining personal success against internal cr...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Ryann Doria, owner of Ryann Kristena Events, to discuss the transition from a background in theater to specializing in alternative and non-traditional wedding planning.   Ryann discusses how she has adjusted her business expectations after moving from Orange County, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah. They also discuss the challenges of rebuilding an...

In this month’s solo episode, host Amanda Russell discusses successfully transitioning from a virtual assistant into a specialized copywriting firm over 7 years.   She also gets into tools and communities that support her business, including CRM systems, AI tools, and tips on how to improve your business’s copywriting, content strategy, and more.   If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, o...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Nina Echevarria, CEO and founder of Millie Micah Design Studio, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   Nina and Amanda discuss Nina’s mission to create a creative environment for young people and teach them the full life cycle of fashion design, focusing on real-world business skills and adapting teaching methods to the current generation.   Nina also discus...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Sarah Avilla, EFT tapping practitioner and integrated health coach, to The Chaotic Middle podcast.   In addition to discussing the importance of emotional self-regulation in parenting, Sarah shares some great tips on using EFT as a stress-reduction and emotional-regulation technique.   In the conversation, Sarah shares how her own practice has led her...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Rebecca Reardon to The Chaotic Middle podcast, who manages a corporate job, a virtual assistant business, and is a mother to two young children.   Listen in as Amanda and Rebecca chat about how to build a "life first biz without muting motherhood.” Rebecca shares about how her goal to gain more time with her children requires her to focus on intentiona...

In this month’s solo episode, host Amanda Russell discusses what she’s learned since starting her own business and how it’s been the best personal and professional decision she’s ever made.    She also gets into how businesses can find success with blogging and how to use long-form content for strategic and sustainable growth.   If you enjoy this candid conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Ch...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Keri Szachacz to The Chaotic Middle podcast  to discuss Keri’s apparel company for dancers, cheerleaders, and baton twirlers, Showstopping Designs, and her experience working from home since 2017.   Listen in as Keri and Amanda discuss the challenges of balancing a work-from-home business with raising growing children, prioritizing emotional awareness,...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Amariah Murdock to The Chaotic Middle podcast. Amariah is the owner of multiple businesses, including Joyride Rentals Southern Utah, infinitexec, and the Momreneurs Making Moves podcast, which focuses on navigating "babies, business, and boundaries."   Amariah shared that a slow season does not define success, stressing the importance of finding connec...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Kelly Velasquez to The Chaotic Middle podcast to discuss her decision to transition from a 12-year corporate career, which was prompted by burnout, a toxic work environment, and a surprise pregnancy.   Kelly Velasquez shared a simplified journaling habit and her "rest versus resistance" experiment, which helps her differentiate between genuine tirednes...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell welcomes Julia Bocchese, an SEO, Pinterest, and AI search strategist and the founder of Julia Renee Consulting, to the Chaotic Middle podcast to discuss her background, business strategies, and entrepreneurial journey.   Julia Bocchese shared her methods for managing a packed schedule through consistent childcare and team outsourcing, emphasizing the importance...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down alone to recap the first month of The Chaotic Middle episodes and share what she’s learned in the short two months since she started interviewing guests.   In the episode, she shares which of her blog posts has gotten the most traffic and how allowing one person’s admission to be your permission to let go, too. Listen in as she talks about how embraci...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with Heidy De La Cruz , a content creator, podcast coach, mom of 2, and host of the award-winning podcast "The American Dream Through the Eyes of Immigrants.”   Heidy De La Cruz shared insights into balancing her 9-to-5 job, content creation, and coaching business with motherhood, attributing her success to a flexible work schedule, divine strength, a...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with Amy Pierre Russo to discuss Amy's coaching practice, which focuses on shifting from work-life balance to work-life harmony and integration.    Amy Pierre Russo, whose background is in HR, emphasized the need for working mothers to have space, support, and resources, noting that clients often struggle with the pressure of "balance" and benefit fro...

In this episode, host Amanda Russell sits down with content writer and mom of 2, Katie Kastner , to discuss how Katie's hope to produce content that counters the prevalence of too many men with microphones was a catalyst for the creation of The Chaotic Middle.   Katie details the pivot of "The Haven" from a community for business-owning mothers to one for creative women entrepreneurs, expressing e...

Ever feel like you're juggling a zillion things while someone hands you a baby and asks for a business plan? Yeah, me too. I'm Amanda Russell, the writer and content strategist behind Chaos Coordination, and welcome to The Chaotic Middle—the podcast for women who are balancing businesses, babies, and everything in between.